Alignment strategy for the LHCb vertex locator

LHCb is one of the four main experiments of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) project, which will start at CERN in 2008. The experiment is primarily dedicated to B-Physics and hence requires precise vertex reconstruction. These requirements place strict constraints on the LHCb vertex locator (VELO) alignment. Additional challenges arise from the VELO being retracted between each fill of the LHC and from its unique circular disc R/$\Phi$ strip geometry. This paper describes the software alignment procedure developed for the VELO, which is primarily based on a non-iterative method using a matrix inversion technique. The procedure is demonstrated with simulated events, and results obtained during runs in external test-beams are also presented.